BBC: GWR's new trains unveiled at ceremony in Japan
The larger, quieter and more energy efficient fleet is being built in southern Japan as part of a multibillion-pound modernisation programme.
Nearly 900 carriages have been ordered from Hitachi, with the first due to arrive in the UK in March.
Pity that the country that gave the world the whole concept of the railway train has to buy them from abroad. Of course there are a whole constellation of reasons why for that.
Because for some reason DfT is unwilling to put a clause in the contract mandating that bidders either operate a factory in the UK already or be willing to open one.
And I thought that Hitachi were going to be building the 800/801s in Durham.
"Yup. That tasted purple."
HGW XX/7
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
That would be against EU public procurement law. Upside is we can build Swedish radars, and various UK service and food companies are Europe-wide.
edited 16th Nov '14 12:39:53 PM by Achaemenid
Schild und Schwert der Partei
Bugger.
"Yup. That tasted purple."
V
Only the first set of pre-production models will be built in Japan, especially as they've recently topped out their new factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.
In addition, Hitachi have won a ScotRail order for 46 three-car and 24 four-car EMUs.
Anyone here know about the recent locomotive engine saga that has affected new British locomotives? 
edited 16th Nov '14 2:30:36 PM by Greenmantle
Keep Rolling On
'80s TV Action Hero
Does that mean we can get rid of that clapped-out old SPT shite they've started running on the East Coast lately? Though, First Group did just lose the franchise, so will the order go through?
'All he needs is for somebody to throw handgrenades at him for the rest of his life...'
Do a barrel roll!
Hm?
Then again, outside of the Chiltern and Anglian lines, are there any loco-hauled regular passenger services left?
EDIT: OK, and the Class 91 / IC225s.
edited 16th Nov '14 2:37:26 PM by Deadbeatloser22
"Yup. That tasted purple."
V
I think there's an Arriva Wales-operated South-North service in Wales.
Keep Rolling On
*googles*
Not sure if that counts as a "regular" passenger service though.
"Yup. That tasted purple."
V
Gets out his copy of the new 3rd Edition of Traction Recognitionnote .
Apart from the HST stock, the Chiltern and ATW services and sleeper services, Greater Anglia operates some Mk3 on Class 90/Mk3 DVT-hauled services on the London Liverpool Street-Norwich route.
edited 17th Nov '14 3:07:29 AM by Greenmantle
Keep Rolling On
I thought the HSTs were technically DEMUsnote , but whatever.
And I already mentioned Anglia; only Loco-hauled run I've ever been on. (Liverpool Street - Norwich and back)
edited 17th Nov '14 4:17:28 AM by Deadbeatloser22
"Yup. That tasted purple."
V
The power cars have been re-classified as Class 43 locomotives.
United Earth
Is it me, or is this thread remarkably Anglocentric?
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
HGW XX/7
Side effect of most of us only being familiar with British trains.
"Yup. That tasted purple."
so i made a new avatar
Define anglo, because I hardly see anything here about American trains (probably because I don't keep up with American rail news).
V
Anglo as in British. Most of the Tropers posting on this thread are British, so...
so i made a new avatar
I see.
Then yes. Yes it is.
To pity someone is to tell them "I feel bad about being better than you."
Do a barrel roll!
so i made a new avatar
The what rail?
To pity someone is to tell them "I feel bad about being better than you."
Do a barrel roll!
わからない
A few
◊ months ago
◊.
edited 17th Nov '14 7:09:05 PM by entropy13
I'm reading this because it's interesting. I think. Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot, over.
I think so.
Also, yay for things fucking up the overhead line when I want to get a train home from uni.
"Yup. That tasted purple."